Contact: Julia Jarema
Date: December 11, 2007
Phone: 919-733-5027 x231
Agency Selected to Begin Internal Review of State Highway Patrol
Raleigh- North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety Secretary Bryan Beatty today announced the department has selected Kroll consultants to conduct a formal, in depth review of the State Highway Patrol's polices, procedures and protocols for hiring, training and promoting troopers.
Gov. Mike Easley ordered the thorough review earlier this fall after several troopers resigned or were fired for misconduct during a two-month timeframe.
The international risk consulting company was awarded the $98,000 contract based on their experience with evaluations of other law enforcement agencies. Kroll has conducted similar reviews for the Los Angeles Police Department, Detroit Police, Pennsylvania State Police, Tennessee State Highway Patrol and Delaware River Port Authority.
“While there are several performance appraisal resources within state government, we believe it is imperative that an outside agency with a national perspective conduct an independent review of our Highway Patrol to identify areas in which we can improve and draw upon best practices of other statewide law enforcement agencies,” said Beatty.
Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol is among the 50 largest state and local law enforcement agencies nationwide.
As part of the review process, a consulting team will meet with the Patrol's senior leaders, sworn officers and civilian employees, as well as representatives from various law enforcement advisory boards. The team also will review statistics on hiring and turnover rates, media coverage, actions alleging negligent supervision, ethics training and supervisory training.
Kroll is expected to submit a written report of its findings to the department within four months.
"We welcome a thorough internal review by an agency that is experienced and respected in the law enforcement and corporate communities,” said Patrol Commander Col. Fletcher Clay. “We look forward to hearing Kroll's recommendations for how we can more efficiently and effectively serve the citizens of North Carolina."
The six-member team conducting the review of the Highway Patrol is comprised of seasoned managers with experience in law enforcement.
* William Nugent- former Assistant US Attorney for eastern Pennsylvania, worked on Organized Crime Strike Force; as Kroll's Senior Managing Director and Regional Counsel, he conducts complex investigations and monitors regulatory compliance
* Jeffrey Schlanger– as president of Kroll Government Services he is responsible for all consulting, training and operational services Kroll provides to local, state and federal governments
* Joseph Buczek- former auditor and special agent for the FBI; as Kroll's chief compliance officer, he is responsible for the company's standard operating procedures, ethics and conflict management and resolution
* David Mitchell-former superintendent of the Maryland State Police and currently Secretary of the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security; he assisted in investigations of the Tennessee State Highway Patrol and Delaware River Port Authority for Kroll
* Mark Ehlers– former Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Columbia and eastern Pennsylvania; Ehlers directed investigations concerning fraud and prosecuted numerous cases concerning organized crime and violent gangs; he serves as Kroll's managing director of the business intelligence and investigations division
* Charlotte Gaal– served in various capacities for the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation including as deputy director and legal counsel; as Kroll's managing member, she assists with internal and forensic investigations
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